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School Speed Zone Enforcement
The City of Panama City is implementing the RedSpeed automated photo enforcement program in designated school zones to protect students and reduce speeding during critical school hours. This initiative, authorized by recent Florida legislation, begins with a 30-day warning period on February 17, 2026, followed by full enforcement starting March 23, 2026.
What is the program and its purpose?
RedSpeed uses smart camera technology to detect and document vehicles exceeding posted speed limits in active school zones. The goal is to enhance safety for students, parents, and school staff by encouraging drivers to slow down during school hours. RedSpeed systems are designed to complement, not replace, traditional traffic enforcement. By automating speed monitoring, the program allows law enforcement to focus on broader public safety priorities while maintaining a consistent presence in school zones.
How does it work?
The system operates only when school speed zones are active and clearly marked: within 30 minutes before school starts through 30 minutes after school ends. It is not active outside school hours, on weekends or during holidays. If a driver exceeds the school zone speed limit by more than 10 mph, the system flags the violation. Each violation will be verified by a Panama City Police officer. Once confirmed, a $100 civil violation will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. These violations will not add points to a license or affect insurance rates. The registered owner of the vehicle involved in the violation is responsible and liable for paying the Notice of Violation issued unless the owner can show via written affidavit that the motor vehicle was in the care, custody or control of another person OR the driver of the vehicle was issued a traffic ticket by a law enforcement officer for the same alleged violation. Payments can be made online, by phone, or by mail. Unpaid violations will be converted to a uniform traffic citation and transferred to County Court.
Where will it be enforced?
RedSpeed will be installed in the following Panama City school zones:
- Lucille Moore Elementary
- Northside Elementary
- Oscar Patterson Elementary
- Palm Bay Elementary
- Jinks Middle School
- Bay High School
- Rosenwald High School
- St. Andrews School
- St. John Catholic School
- Covenant Christian School
- Holy Nativity Episcopal School
When does it begin, and when are tickets issued?
The program launches with a warning-only period starting February 17, 2026, giving drivers time to adjust. Full enforcement begins March 23, 2026, when violations will be issued.
Where does the money from the violation go?
Funds collected from violations are regulated by Florida Statute and will support the school crossing guard program and other public safety initiatives, as well as go towards the cost of the photo enforcement program, so its implementation is at no cost to taxpayers.
The City remains committed to protecting students, supporting safe driving behaviors, and keeping the community informed as this program moves forward.
Q. What is the School Zone Camera Safety Program?
A. House Bill 657 is a Florida law that was approved by the Florida Legislature and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 31st, 2023. Under this law, the use of cameras is authorized to enforce speeding violations throughout the school day. The City of Panama City will implement the school camera safety program for the 2025 - 2026 school year and beyond.
Q. What does “photo-enforced” mean?
A. Photographic evidence will be used to issue a Notice of Violation to the registered owner of a vehicle. The vehicle must exceed the posted speed limit by more than ten (10) mph. The Notice of Violation will include the date, time, and location of the violation, along with photographic evidence.
Q. When and where is photo enforcement used?
A. The camera enforcement system will be active during the school day session. The exact times vary depending on each school's schedule. The speed enforcement allowable time periods are as follows:
- Within 30 minutes before and through 30 minutes after the start of a regularly scheduled school session.
- During the entirety of a regularly scheduled school session, and
- Within 30 minutes before and through 30 minutes after the end of a regularly scheduled school session.
Q. What are the benefits of photo enforcement?
- Increases the safety of children and staff in school zones by deterring speeding.
- Encourages drivers to adhere to posted speed limits.
- Mitigates risks associated with speeding where children are present.
Q. Which School Zones are being camera enforced in the City of Panama City?
School name | Address | School Enforcement Times Start End |
Bay High School | 1200 Harrison Avenue | 7:45am | 3:30pm |
Covenant Christian School | 2350 Frankford Avenue | 7:30am | 3:30pm |
Holy Nativity Episcopal School | 205 Hamilton Avenue | 7:30am | 3:45pm |
Jinks Middle School | 600 W. 11TH Street | 8:30am | 4:00pm |
Lucille Moore Elementary | 1900 Michigan Avenue | 7:00am | 2:30pm |
Northside Elementary | 2001 Northside Drive | 7:00am | 2:30pm |
Oscar Patterson Elementary | 1025 Redwood Avenue | 7:00am | 2:45pm |
Palm Bay Elementary | 1104 Balboa Avenue | 7:30am | 3:45pm |
Rosenwald High School | 924 Bay Avenue | 8:00am | 3:30pm |
St. Andrews School | 2010 W 12th Street | 7:00am | 2:30pm |
St. John Catholic School | 1005 Fortune Avenue | 7:20am | 3:20pm |
Q. What data are the cameras capturing, and is that information secure?
A. Camera enforcement systems are set to capture data specified by the City of Panama City within local, state, and federal guidelines. This data will include photographic stills of the vehicle and the license plate. It will also include the date, time, location, and speed.
All data is encrypted and transmitted to a secure central server, where it is digitally signed to prevent interception and manipulation, ensuring top-level protection for the chain of custody. Original images and data are securely stored in a data vault.
Q. How much does the photo enforcement program cost taxpayers?
A. The photo enforcement system is entirely funded by paid violations.
Q. Who issues the Notice of Violation?
A. A State of Florida traffic infraction enforcement officer employed by the City of Panama City Police Department is the only person who can decide if a Notice of Violation is justified.
Q. What are my options if I receive a Notice of Violation?
A. There are two options offered to the registered owner of the vehicle:
- Pay the fine within 30 days from the date of issuance.
- Request a hearing within 30 days of the date of issuance.
- Failure to follow the Notice of Violation options within 30 days of issuance will result in the issuance of a FLORIDA UNIFORM TRAFFIC CITATION.
- If the violation is satisfied in the Notice of Violation status, there is no adverse impact to the alleged violator’s driver’s license, vehicle registration or insurance.
- All options will be included in the Notice of Violation sent to the registered owner.
Q. Will paying a Notice of Violation affect my insurance or driver’s license?
A. No. A Notice of Violation is a civil penalty and does not affect your driving privileges or insurance.
Q. What happens if I am the registered owner but someone else was driving the motor vehicle?
A. The registered owner of the vehicle involved in the violation is responsible and liable for paying the Notice of Violation issued unless the owner can show via written affidavit one of the following circumstances listed below:
- The motor vehicle was, at the time of the violation, in the care, custody, or control of another person.
- The driver of the vehicle was issued a traffic ticket by a law enforcement officer for the same alleged violation.
Q. How can I pay a Notice of Violation?
A. Via internet:
https://secure.speedviolation.com
Via telephone:
1-844-870-2813